Allstate: Consumers don't understand auto insurance policies

The survey, which was commissioned by the Allstate Insurance Co., noted that 64 percent of respondents thought that personal items taken from a car would be covered by their auto insurance, when in reality it is covered by a person's renters or home insurance.

"These survey results underscore the need for consumers to be better educated about their policies and what they mean," Steve Sorenson, senior vice president of product operations for Allstate, said.

The poll - which was entitled Don't Hope So, Know So - showed that 40 percent of consumers thought that damage from a pothole would be covered by the comprehensive portion of their auto insurance, when it's actually a part of collision insurance.

Of respondents, only 34 percent said they had read through their auto insurance policies. According to Allstate, one of the ways consumers can be better educated is by looking through their insurance policies.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, a number of different things are covered in a basic auto insurance policy. Those would include liability for bodily injury and property damage.